Georgia Native Receives First Scholarship Offered by Atlanta Alumni Chapter

Mathematics major and Georgia native Nia Davis looks forward to graduating from St. John’s University in May and immersing herself in the regional chapter that helped her along her college journey.

She is the first recipient of the Atlanta Regional Chapter Endowed Scholarship. Established in the Fall of 2021, it is one of the first endowed scholarships created by a regional alumni chapter at St. John’s University. Initially endowed at $33,000, the hope is the endowment will reach $50,000.

 “It came as a shock, and I feel incredibly honored to be recognized by the alumni of my home state. It is phenomenal to know that there is a community of Atlanta alums who want to see me succeed.”

“Nia is a very impressive young lady and a strong representative of the University,” said Marty Wilson ’77C, President, Atlanta Regional Chapter. Mr. Wilson noted that the scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance to a Georgia student to attend St. John’s who will eventually return home and become an Atlanta Alumni member. He added that they also established a Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) alumni chapter.

Founded in 1984—and one of the most active St. John’s University alumni regional chapters—Mr. Wilson stressed that one of their guiding principles is St. John’s University’s Vincentian mission. “We collect socks for the St. Vincent de Paul Society at every event we host and collect gifts as part of the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign each Christmas,” he added. “Twice a year, our alumni volunteer at The Quest Atlanta Catholic Radio, assisting with their pledge drive telethons. For us, every social event is a service opportunity.”

“I have several St. John’s alumni in my family who sold me on this wonderful school at a young age,” Nia recalled. “I really fell in love with the University after my first visit. The beauty of the campus and the energetic atmosphere created by my orientation leaders really helped me feel right at home. In the future, I want to work in curriculum building in mathematics and help develop new ways of teaching math. I’ve been blessed with so many opportunities at St. John’s.”

Recently, Nia and her family joined members of the Atlanta Regional Chapter for a St. John’s Men’s Basketball game watch party and felt warmly welcomed by its members. “I really enjoyed meeting the Atlanta alumni community. They made my family and I feel so at home, as if they had known us for years.”

“I enjoyed seeing how members interact with each other. Though the group is made up of different generations, there did not seem to be any divisions. It reminded me of a family reunion, where everyone was eager to reconnect. What also stood out was the love they each had for St. John’s. As a current student, it was so nice to witness that camaraderie and school spirit. I look forward to joining their ranks after I graduate.”